Newsletter 09 - June-July 2008
Newsletter June July
2008 in pdf
Content:
-Model School
-Back to School
-Village Schools
-Teachers’ Training
-Farewell to volunteers
-Evaluation Team from SDTT
-Resource Centres
-New Volunteers
-Peter Jordan
Model School
Back to School
After two months of summer vacation the children came back in
good spirits to the familiar environment of Balamitra Model
School on the 25th of June. Classes commenced from the 30th.
This academic year we have two classes of III and one class
each of IV and V, which started with a total strength of 26
children. 3 boys from class V and 3 from class III left the
lap of Balamitra during the first week of July to join the Gurukulam
School at G.Madugula. This was a significant achievement for
the children as well as the staff since they had been selected
after an entrance exam. The girls of Class IV who also were
successful in getting admission in government schools were retained
back at Balamitra since the allotted schools were not considered
satisfactory.
The classes started in full swing with introduction of the main
blocks to respective classes. Class III took up farming, class
IV local Geography and class V Science in the first block of
three weeks. The children of class III have planted a variety
of vegetables in the adjacent plot of land and are eagerly waiting
to eat the fruits of their labour. Class IV did mapping of Sagar
Nagar and now are adept at guiding you through the streets of
Sagar Nagar. Class V has taken full inventory of the plants
in and around the area and collected material, information and
samples of all the available plants and recorded them. Since
class V is an all girls- class and the girls are entering puberty,
it was considered appropriate to do a project on medicinal plants
and traditional healing methods used for menstrual problems
in our tribal areas.
The second three weeks of main lesson included Occupations
for class III, Aquatic animals for class IV and Mathematics
for class V. As part of a project concerned with Occupations,
we decided to take the help of a fisherman from Jalaripetta
to teach the children the art of weaving fishing net. Our kids
have taken it up with great enthusiasm and their dexterity is
coming up with a large fishing net. The next event would be
a fishing expedition by the Balamitra team, which would be a
fitting finale to the block of Occupation.
Village Schools
Village Schools reopened after the summer holidays a little
earlier than the Model School on the 10th of June More than
20 schools are in the process of getting repaired in the beginning
of this month at various CBO level. As new enrollments came
in, class III students from various schools left the lap of
Balamitra to further their studies at Government-run schools.
Teachers’ training
Teacher training is an ongoing course of action to improve the
pedagogical strength of our village teachers. The training session
is as fun filled as it is serious learning for the teachers.
This academic session started with about 40 teachers and Resource
centre coordinators getting training at the Model School from
the 21st of May to 29th of May. Curriculum and lesson planning,
art and craft work, songs in tribal languages and classroom
learning were conducted in a meticulous manner.
Farewell to volunteers
It was time for Peter, Fabian, Maria and Guilia who had become
part of Balamitra since the last 11 months to bid goodbye to
the children and the staff of Balamitra. It was a poignant moment
for the children for whom these volunteers become an integral
part of their days spent at Balmitra.The volunteers gave themselves
completely to the children and made it more colourful with the
introduction of English language, musical instruments, form
drawing, exclusive art and craft and when they leave they do
leave a void. Peter, with his effervescence, Fabian with his
peaceful countenance and nature, Maria with her no-nonsense
attitude and Guilia, who came with a world of Waldorf experience,
gelled with the children very well. Guilia was helpful in instilling
a systematic pedagogical method in our teachers. Her contribution
to systemizing the Model School resource center and critical
appraisal is appreciated by the Balamitra team.
Evaluation Team from SDTT
A very significant event since the start of the academic session
was the arrival of the evaluation team from Sri Dorabhji Tata
Trust, our financial supporters. A two member team consisting
of Sharadaji, an eminent educationist and Director of an NGO,
Sandhan from Rajasthan and her colleague Arvind, did an insightful
review of the Balamitra education programme. They did a thorough
study of our curricular activities at the model school as well
as village schools, conducted workshops for teachers and evaluated
the strengths and weaknesses and reflected with us the future
direction of our work. The Balamitra team thanks Sharadaji and
Arvind for the meticulous and detailed evaluation.
Field Resource Centres
As part of the endeavour to empower our field teachers, to make
the facilities available to the government-school going children
and the youth of the village, it was decided to have resource
centers at three central villages-Poolabanda, Kamayyapeta and
Killoguda as a new initiative. The centers would have a coordinator
and a resource person who would use their capacities to connect
with the people of the nearby villages, facilitate training
programmes for field teachers and conduct micro level research
into tribal knowledge. We hope this effort will take our education
closer to the communities.
New Volunteers
Come August 25th and we will have a new set of volunteers from
Germany. Anna, Jan Paul and Josefine would be arriving at Sagar
Nagar. The children and staff are eagerly looking forward to
another 11-month association with the volunteers. Two Waldorf
trainee teachers from the U.K, Freya and Ann have expressed
their desire to have a six-week teaching experience with Balamitra.
They are expected by the 2nd week of October.
A special note of thanks to
Peter Jordan: A continuous non-resident volunteer
We consider this young man of 70 (and whatever
plus is anybody’s guess) from Canada who has been part of
Balamitra since its conceptual birth, as our Ambassador and
Godfather. He has been eagerly trying to connect Balamitra to
the Waldorf schools in Canada. His undying humour, contribution
and interest in the happenings at Balamitra are always
encouraging and inspires us to drive ahead in top gear. Our
gratitude to the continued strength of this young volunteer.
Also, our Thanks go to…
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Freunde der Erziehungskunst Rudolf Steiners
e.V.
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Friends of Waldorf Education e.V. for the
continuous support to Waldorf teaching and volunteering.
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ASHA for Education
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Jayshree Hatangadi for her voluntary services
to the programme and her passion for bringing a system to
curriculum planning and teacher training.
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To all our ex- volunteers and friends of
Balamitra
Contact us
School:Balamitra Model SchoolPlot No. 22, Sri Sai Nivas,Eenadu
Layout, Sagar NagarVisakhapatnam 530043 A.P.Tel: 0891- 2737653
Office:Balamitra c/o SamataD. No. 14-40-1, Krishna Vihar,Emani
Colony, Gokale Road, MaharanipetaVisakhapatnam – 530 002,
A.P. IndiaTel: +91-891-2737662,
Email: balamitranews@gmail.com
samatha@satyam.net.in
Website: www.balamitra.org
Appeal:
You can contribute to our efforts by way of donations in materials
or money. Financial contributions to Samata are exempt from
Income Tax under Section 80G and has a contribution regulation
act (FCRA) number from the Central Government which allows it
to receive foreign funds. Please make Cheques payable to 'Samata'.
Legal Status:
Registered under Societies Registration Act XXI of 1860 (No.554/90)
Registered under Foreign Contributions Registration Act
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